Types of Chemical Reactions Notes

Types of Reactions
There are four main types of reactions:
Synthesis Reactions
Decomposition Reactions
Single-Replacement Reactions
Double-Replacement Reactions
Synthesis Reaction
A synthesis reaction combines two or more reactants in to a single product.
The general pattern for this reaction is:
A+B
AB
Examples of substances that often combine in synthesis reactions:
metal + nonmetal yields a salt compound

Ex: Ca + Cl2

metal + oxygen yields a metal oxide

CaCl2

Ex: 2Mg + O2

2MgO

Decomposition Reaction
Decomposition reactions break down, or decompose a single reactant into multiple
products.
The general pattern for decomposition reactions:
AB
A+B
AB is always a compound
A and B (products) may be single elements or smaller compounds
Some common types of decomposition reactions:
metal oxides yield metal + oxygen
ternary acids yield nonmetal oxide + water
hydrates yield a compound + water

Ex: 2HgO

2Hg + O2

Ex: H2CO3

CO2 + H2O

Ex: BaCl2H2O

BaCl2 + H2O

Single-replacement Reaction
In a single-replacement reaction, a reactive element replaces a less reactive element in a
compound.
The general pattern for single-replacement reactions:
A + BX B + AX
A = reactive element
The B in BX is less reactive than A.
Common single-replacement reactions:
*More active metal replaces the less active:
Zn (s) + CuCl2 (aq) Cu (s) + ZnCl2 (aq)
*Metal replaces the H in an acid:
Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) MgCl2 + H2 (g)
*More active halogen replaces less reactive:

Cl2 (g) + 2NaBr (aq) 2NaCl + Br2

Single-replacement reactions occur because the element that does the replacing is a
more active element, based on its tendency to lose or gain electrons.
If a compound is placed in contact with a more active element, a reaction is likely.
To determine whether or not a single-replacement reaction will occur, refer to the
activity series.
If the free element is above the other (in the compound) on the activity series, a reaction
will occur.
If the free element is below the other on the activity series, a reaction will not occur.
Will a Reaction Occur?
Au (s) + NaCl (aq) ?
Zn (s) + H2SO4 ?
Cl2 (g) + MgBr2 ?
Mg (s) + Ca(OH)2 ?
Double-Replacement Reactions
In a double-replacement reaction, two compounds switch partners.
The general pattern of this reaction:
AY + BX AX + BY
Most double-replacement reactions take place when both reactants are aqueous
(dissolved in water).
When two aqueous compounds are mixed, and partners swap, a precipitate is often
formed.
Example:
Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + K2CrO4 (aq) PbCrO4 (s) + 2KNO3 (aq)
Another example double-replacement reaction:
HCl (aq) + KOH (aq) HOH (l) + KCl (aq)
If we break apart the compounds into ions, we get:
H+ + Cl- + K+ + OH- HOH + K+ + Cl**This is called the ionic equation.
H+ (aq) + Cl- (aq) + K+ (aq) + OH- (aq) HOH (l) + K+ (aq) + Cl- (aq)
K+ and Cl- are spectator ions
If you cross out what does not change from reactants to products (spectator ions), you
get the net ionic equation.
H+ + OH- HOH